KUOW Blog
News, factoids, and insights from KUOW's newsroom. And maybe some peeks behind the scenes. Check back daily for updates.
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Stories
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Reporter's notebook: how to safely attend performances this virus season
I go to a lot of shows. As a reporter, it’s a big part of my job. But as a supporter and proud patron of the arts, it’s a choice that I will continue to make.
I understand there is still legitimate fear of Covid that is now combined with worry about influenza and RSV. With all of this in mind, many people are asking, "Is it safe to enjoy the arts at this time?"
Unfortunately, I can’t answer that question for anyone else. But for me and folks like me who will continue to go to live shows and events, there are ways to enjoy the arts with relative safety.
First and foremost, I’m vaccinated against Covid. While that vaccine will not stop me from catching Covid, I do trust it to curb the severity of any Covid symptoms. And as someone who has had Covid, I will say that “less severe” is also relative. I was not hospitalized, but my symptoms did feel severe to me.
But as a reporter, when I ponder these questions and evaluate these current circumstances, my natural inclination is to do what I do best: ask questions.
So, I reached out to some folks in the theater community and public health experts, and I learned some information about how those of us who wish to continue attending live events can do so in ways that are safest for ourselves, fellow patrons of the arts, performers, and staff at the venues we support.
The 5th Avenue Theatre recently cancelled multiple performances of "The Wiz" due to a Covid outbreak. When this happened, many people asked me what this would mean for the industry as a whole, and how common an occurrence like this has been. The first call I made was to the 5th Avenue Theatre, and I spoke to artistic director Bernie Griffin.
“We have a great system in place, as does the whole sector, to identify early diagnosis of Covid and take the necessary action,” Griffin said. “And the necessary action was, instead of just saying, ‘Maybe we can do a show tomorrow’, just say, ‘You know what, we need to make sure everybody is on the mend, and hope that we'll be able to continue next week’. And that's where we made our priority.”
Griffin, like many of her peers in the theater community, has increased health precautions for actors in an effort to mitigate any potential show cancellations. The cancellation of "The Wiz" caused ripples in the theater world because even as Covid persists, other shows have gone on throughout the city.
This season in Seattle, many big productions have been able to operate without interruptions due to Covid. At McCaw Hall where the Pacific Northwest Ballet is showing "The Nutcracker," they have similar protocols to the 5th Avenue Theatre.
In a statement via email, Pacific Northwest Ballet communications director Gary Tucker said "The Nutcracker" has so far been able to operate without interruptions, despite seeing a few Covid cases. But with rigorous testing of performers and staff, masking protocols during rehearsals in place all season, and multiple casts on stand-by, the production has proceeded smoothly.
I also spoke with Jeffrey Herrmann, managing director at the Seattle Rep theater. "Mr. Dickens and His Carol" is another popular show this season, and like the Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Rep’s show has happened so far without any show stoppages. In fact, Herrmann says the Seattle Rep has only had to cancel one show this year due to Covid and that was back in July. Like many theaters right now, the Rep is using more understudies to ensure actors can stay home when sick, without interrupting performances.
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King County's sheriff goes back to school: Today So Far
- The story of our current King County sheriff is fit for a sitcom. So get on that Hollywood! And by "Hollywood," I really mean Vancouver, BC.
- Researchers are noting a significant upward trend in rural Washington incarcerations.
- Could offshore wind farms become a whale of a problem?
This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for December 21, 2022.
King County got a new sheriff last May — Patti Cole-Tindall. There was just one lingering thing she had to do for the job, however: Pass the police academy. That's what King County's sheriff is up to these days. KUOW's Amy Radil says the premise might seem like a sitcom, but it's very real life for Cole-Tindall.
“I am much older than many of my classmates, and some days, it’s hard, you know, I’m bumping up to 60 here so it’s tough, right?” Cole-Tindall told KUOW.
The sheriff, now in her 50s, already went through the academy, years ago. But since then, she moved into more administrative law enforcement roles that did not require the academy certification. Therefore, her certification lapsed. Becoming sheriff meant she had to go through the course all over again.
Which brings me back to Amy's point about how this sounds like a sitcom. This should be a sitcom! It's comes stocked with fresh comedy ingredients: generational friction; office smarts vs street smarts; novelty; feel-good moments of the main character defying expectations; an ensemble cast; reflections on societal issues of our day delivered across a comedy medium where we can all come together. This premise was already, sort of, enough for a seven-film franchise. So I'm calling on Hollywood — and by "Hollywood" I really mean Vancouver, BC — to get on this. Set it in Seattle, and start filming!
Cole-Tindall has, so far, completed five weeks of the 19-week program. She's spending Monday through Thursday at the academy, starting each morning with pushups, wearing full gear. Read more here.
In not-so-funny law enforcement news, researchers are noting a significant upward trend in rural incarcerations. In urban and suburban Washington, fewer and fewer people are ending up in jails. But in rural Washington, more and more folks are ending up behind bars.
Jennifer Schwartz is a professor of sociology at Washington State University who is studying incarcerations in the state. She notes that many of the offenses that rural residents are being incarcerated for are minor, such as driving with a suspended license. Schwartz is now part of a research program looking into Washington's trends. Read more here.
Offshore wind farms are all the rage these days. Well, at least, I like saying that. These wind farms just seem so logical. It's windy out there, and they're placed out of the way.
They might not be totally out of the way, however. Oregon State University just got a lot of federal funds to study how often whales (and other marine life) could come into contact with these power operations. Birds too. The big question is: What is the potential impact of offshore wind farms on wildlife. It's a big question if we end up pursuing this form of renewable energy. Read more here.
Finally ... happy winter everybody! Today is the first day of winter, and the weather seems to know it. So first, let's get a quick weather update out of the way. Temps are slated to stay near or below freezing for the next couple days. Warmer temps are expected this weekend. But in the meantime, know this: Ice! Walking, driving, roller skating — there's gonna be ice. And before conditions improve, another round of snow/sleet/rain will come into the area tomorrow afternoon-ish.
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Is your Christmas tree losing needles a little early?
Is your Christmas tree already shedding needles? If so, you might be able to blame climate change for that.
RELATED: The scientist behind the perfect Christmas tree
Many holiday customers buy noble firs for Christmas trees because the native trees are known for retaining their pine needles through the weeks. But these trees tend to lose needles when the growing seasons are warmer. Add to that, climate change in general is making it harder to grow this tree crop.
Gary Chastagner, aka "Dr. Christmas Tree," is a plant pathologist at Washington State University. He says that when noble firs grow in excessively wet soil, they become vulnerable to root rot caused by mold, called Phytophthora.
“Normal precipitation patterns, you don't have the periods of saturated soil because the soil has fairly good drainage," Chastagner says. "But if we have increased amounts of precipitation, more favorable for the growth of Phytophthora in the soil."
Chastagner is bringing foreign species, like the Turkish fir, to the Northwest because they grow better in warmer weather and are more likely to remain disease free.
RELATED: One Redmond farm family is not giving up, yet, as they weather climate extremes
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Holiday travel woes strike Sea-Tac Airport
As of Wednesday morning, 27 flights were canceled at Sea-Tac Airport, and 51 flights were delayed. Hundreds of flights have been canceled so far this week.
Cold winter weather is making it a little harder for people to travel on time this holiday season, but crews at Sea-Tac Airport are prepared.
Airport spokesperson Perry Cooper says crews have been out in the airfield making sure runways are clear for aircraft to land and take off safely.
“We've got a lot of folks that are going through the airport right now, so before you get to the airport, check in, (and) triple check to see whether or not your flight has been affected in one way or another," Cooper said.
Travelers with morning flights should give themselves an additional 30–45 minutes in case of long lines.
Cooper says Thursday and Friday before Christmas will be heavy travel days this year.
If you’re looking for something to do while you wait for your flight, Cooper says to check out the newly reopened Central Terminal, which has two new restaurants, rocking chairs, and some Little Free Libraries.
Sea-Tac's holiday travel woes are part of a national strain at airports. NPR reports that about 113 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home for the holidays. At the same time an arctic freeze is hitting the Great Lakes region, as well as the central and southern plains. A total of 26 states in the eastern United States and along the Gulf Coast are expected to get hit with record-breaking low temps and coastal flooding.
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Aiming for gun safety in Washington: Today So Far
As officials in Washington state are look ahead to the next legislative session, a handful of gun safety proposals are being prepared for consideration, including an assault weapons ban.
This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for December 20, 2022.
Here come the gun control efforts ... again. But this time, proponents think they can make it happen.
At a press event Monday, Attorney General Bob Ferguson noted that this next session will be the seventh time he has pushed for a ban on assault weapons in Washington state. This time, however, he is joined by Gov. Jay Inslee and a slate of Democratic lawmakers. Proponents say they have hope it can pass this time. In fact, it's not just a ban they are pursuing.
Ferguson is also proposing a new law that would establish legal liability for the gun industry — from manufacturers to sellers — should their products be used in a crime. Inslee is further proposing a permit program to purchase a gun. If this all is successfully passed, Washington gun stores will no longer be able to sell assault weapons, and people who want to buy a gun will have to go through some sort of safety course to obtain a license/permit before being able to purchase one. And if a gun is used in a crime or some sort of tragedy, then victims will have a legal avenue to sue manufacturers and potentially stores.
Details on what counts as an "assault weapon" weren't exactly clear at the announcement. But you can safely assume that any firearms generally issued to soldiers (or similar models) will be banned.
Here's what to understand. Washington's gun control laws usually target the purchase of certain items, like high-capacity magazines. In this case, the proposal bans the sale of assault weapons. The firearms will still be legal to own in Washington state. If you own such a weapon now, nobody is coming for your guns. And if you really, really want an assault rifle, you can just go one state over and buy one there. But proponents hope that adding these layers to accessing guns in Washington will create space and time to stop people from harming others.
Everett is the latest city to offer gift cards in exchange for guns. Kirkland has also held a couple of these events over the past few months, and ultimately paid out $18,000. When Everett police held their event last weekend, about 30 cars were lined up at the precinct before it even started. They ran out of gift cards. In the end, they took in 241 guns, and gave out $25,000 in gift cards. Read more here.
One last thing. Just because it needs to be said for those folks, I'm sure not you: It snowed, so be aware. This is one of those winter storms where one area gets 8 inches, and another gets nothing. It's raining where I'm at right now, and Port Angeles is expected to get 11 inches of snow by tomorrow. It seems snow stuck around the areas north of Seattle, and definitely up in the mountains. Chains are required over Snoqualmie and Stevens passes. And if you see a snow plow out there, don't pass it, and don't crowd it. A WSDOT plow was hit by a car this morning, and that just makes it harder on everybody in the end. Even if you're just seeing rain, like me, know that temps are taking a dive tonight, which means a fresh coat of ice on the ground. Finally, if you need a warming shelter, call 211, tell them your zip code, and they'll guide you to the closest option.
AS SEEN ON KUOW
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Joe Kent concedes, but is 'not done yet'
Six weeks after the November election, Joe Kent announced that he has conceded the election for Washington's 3rd Congressional District. He called his opponent, Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez, Wednesday morning to make it official.
"While I’m disappointed that we did not prevail, our campaign and our supporters have a lot to be proud of," Kent said in a statement. "We defeated a twelve-year incumbent in the primary and came within a single percentage point of winning the general despite an unprecedented $14.2 million spent against me, including millions in special interest dark money."
You can see information about Gluesenkamp Pérez's campaign finances here.
Kent is a MAGA Republican who ran to unseat Republican Congressmember Jaime Herrera Beutler. Herrera Beutler was among a handful of GOP members who voted in favor of impeaching former President Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. The action stirred Trump's base to "primary" such Republicans.
Kent was able to oust Herrera Beutler in the August primary, but was unable to ultimately win the district in November. Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez declared victory in the week after the election, flipping the district from red to blue. Following the initial election results, Kent's campaign called for a recount. The results didn't budge much.
RELATED: Rep. Herrera Beutler's advice as she exits Congress
In a statement, Kent says that despite the loss, his political work is not finished. He says that Republicans are losing the "ballot turnout battle" and the GOP needs to adapt. He therefore wants to lead a change in the party. He adds that his campaign is "not at a sad end but a strong beginning," and says that he is planning another announcement in January.
Kent's full statement:
I promised during the campaign that I would accept the outcome of the election, now definitively determined as the recount has concluded.
This morning, I called my opponent to concede and offer my congratulations on her victory.
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Washington governor, AG unveil 3 gun safety proposals
Washington leaders are aiming to ban the sale of assault weapons in the state. Similar attempts have not gotten far in the past, but they say they now have the momentum to do it as they push for three gun safety measures next session.
On Monday, Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced a pair of gun safety bills they are jointly proposing for the upcoming legislative session — including a ban on semiautomatic rifles and a law establishing liability for the gun industry. Inslee further announced a third measure he is pursuing, which would create a permit program to purchase a gun.
"You need to get a license to drive a car in the state of Washington, you need to get a license to go fishing, it's time that you get a license to make sure that you have safety training to purchase a gun in the state of Washington, and it's high time that we pass a bill to make sure you get a permit before you purchase a firearm," Inslee said.
Inslee added that gun safety laws will not be the only tactic used in the upcoming year, and that state officials will also work to "provide mental health to our young people, we are going to attack the homelessness crisis, we are going to train more police officers so there are more officers on the streets to protect us."
But he argues that "too many guns, of the wrong kind" are in too many hands. The governor said that Washington loses more than 800 residents to gun violence each year.
Ferguson noted that this is the seventh year that he has pushed for an assault weapons ban. Inslee and Ferguson did not provide details on what firearms would classify as an assault weapon, but the AG's Office website states they are targeting "military style" guns.
The proposal to establish a level of liability for gun manufacturers and sellers is a new effort in Washington. Such lawsuits against manufacturers and sellers are difficult at the federal level, but Ferguson says that states can implement their own laws to create local legal liability.
"This is a bill that will ensure that firearms manufacturers and sellers face consequences, liability, when they are irresponsible," he said.
The proposal charges firearm industry members to establish and enforce controls on various aspects of gun sales — manufacturing, selling, distribution, and marketing.
"And if they don't, if those weapons get in the wrong hands, and the tragic outcomes that we are all too familiar with occur, on their watch, and as a result of their actions, then these lawsuits can be brought," Ferguson said.
Gun violence victims speak
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Cold temps, lowland snow and possible flooding in the forecast
Beware, holiday travelers. Record cold temperatures and heavy lowland snow are possible early this week, followed by rain and potential flooding over the weekend.
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a winter storm warning through 7 p.m. Tuesday for Seattle and surrounding areas. Snow accumulations of 2-8 inches are possible, with heavy snow accumulation expected to impact morning and evening commutes on Tuesday.
"It looks like widespread potential for at least 2-4 inches in the Seattle Metro through tomorrow afternoon," said Carly Kovacik, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle. "There could be areas where we've got localized higher amounts to like maybe 5 or 6 inches."
Meanwhile, extremely low temperatures are in the forecast through the week with lows well below freezing and wind chills into the single digits. The National Weather Service says lows on Thursday morning could be between 10 and 20 degrees, with afternoon highs only reaching the mid-20s.
For those in need of shelter, below is an Instagram post listing cold-weather shelters in the Seattle region.
As temperatures rise toward the end of the week, forecasters warn of the potential for freezing rain and then urban and river flooding over the weekend from rain and snow melt.
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How the bird flu can affect you: Today So Far
The bird flu rarely spreads to humans, but that doesn't mean it can't affect you.
This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for December 16, 2022.
Covid, and RSV, and the flu. Now get ready for ... bird flu.
Ya know, I look forward to a period when I don't write so much about viruses and pandemics, but the news is the news. And the latest news is that the bird flu has dramatically spiked throughout the Northwest and the United States. It is being called the deadliest bird flu outbreak in U.S. history.
The bird flu, as the name implies, affects birds. It doesn't spread to humans so much (that doesn't mean you shouldn't keep your distance from infected/dead birds), though the first human case of bird flu was detected in Colorado in April. That person recovered within a few days.
"This year, avian influenza is spreading much more quickly in wild birds," Kevin Snekvik, executive director for the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, told Soundside. "There's over 40 different species of wild birds that are affected by this strain. So, its hosts are much more diversified than previous years."
Considering bird populations around Washington, wild birds do have one advantage — they're wild, and there are a lot of them. So far, the hundreds of cases in Washington won't make much of a dent in the total population of many species. They also have the opportunity to spread out. This isn't the case for a very specific population — commercial flocks, like chicken farms. That's where this will affect us.
Remember when we all initially responded to Covid? People socially distanced, wore masks, and eventually got shots. None of that is possible with commercial operations. There are no tiny chicken masks, as funny as that sounds. But more to the point, there is no social distancing when it comes to many commercial operations, which often keep chickens in tight groups. Those are ideal conditions for a virus to spread.
That's a big problem if you enjoy things like eggs, or baked chicken thighs in oyster sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and a dash pepper ... what was I talking about? Oh yeah...
A lot of our food in Western Washington comes from the eastern side of the state. Over near Pasco, more than a million chickens have recently come down with the virus and are being destroyed, aka killed off to stop the spread. In this case, the farm produces chicken eggs, which are sold across Washington and 10 other states. This is the first commercial flock to come down with the avian influenza in our state.
Across the USA, a total of 300 commercial flocks have been infected this year. As of early December, 52,695,450 birds were destroyed nationally. According to NPR, the situation doesn't "pose a special risk in the nation's food supply, given proper handling."
Infections at commercial flocks are mostly coming from interactions with the wild bird population. One conservation scientist told KUOW that it has been "utter chaos" recently, with so many reports of dead wild birds. From snow geese to bald eagles, crews have been responding to hundreds of bird deaths across Washington in recent months. Since many birds go into hiding when they are dying, the actual number of deaths is likely much higher.
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Everett trades $25K in gift cards for firearms
Hundreds of unwanted firearms have been turned into the Everett Police Department after the city held its first ever Guns for Gift Cards event, Dec. 17, 2022.
The exchange, held at the city's precinct on Everett Mall Way, brought in 241 firearms.
- 123 handguns
- 109 long guns
- 9 AR and AK style rifles
Weapons like AR-15s and AK-47s were worth up to $300. Handguns were worth up to $200. Rifles and shotguns got $100, and $25 were paid for inoperable firearms.
The city paid $25,000 in gift cards for the entire haul.
According to My Everett News, there were 30 cars lined up ahead of the event. The police department ran out of gift cards before everyone was seen. With no gift cards, some gun owners opted to keep their firearms. Others turned them in anyway.
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Sea-Tac Airport's holiday travel rebounds out of pandemic
This is going to be one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, and Sea-Tac Airport spokesperson Perry Cooper says nearly 1 million visitors will pass through Sea-Tac terminals between Dec. 19 and Jan. 3.
Cooper notes that the airport continues to rebound from the pandemic travel slump.
"So, Thanksgiving was about 95% of pre-pandemic numbers, now we're at 100%," Cooper said. "And we're asking people to be wary of that, bring your patience, and give yourself some extra time."
The Friday before Christmas, the Monday after Christmas, and after New Year's Day are expected to be the busiest days at Sea-Tac.
Drivers should expect extra company on the road. Congestion is expected on I-5 from Lacey to Tacoma, starting midday Thursday.
Traffic over the passes on I-90 and Highway 2 is forecast to be busiest in both directions on Monday, Dec. 26.
Chains are currently required over Snoqualmie Pass. Traction tires are required over Stevens Pass. Drivers are encouraged to carry chains and winter supplies.
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All I want for Christmas is rent: Today So Far
- KUOW gets advice on the best ways to give during this season of goodwill.
- The Little Free Bakery effort grows in the Seattle area, baking up free food for those who need it.
This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for December 16, 2022.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
I might not even have a Christmas tree
I just want a secure home
More than you could ever know
So I'm saving every cent
All I want for Christmas, is rent
I'm sorry/not sorry for getting that song stuck in your head. But it's a tune that a lot of folks in the Seattle area are singing this season, according to Patrick Barredo, director of social outreach and advocacy at St. James Cathedral. While speaking with KUOW about positive ways to give this holiday season, Barredo said one need sticks out more this year.
"The needs that I'm seeing are more requests for rental assistance," Barredo said. "People have been drastically affected by the pandemic. I know that we're a growing region. We are experiencing a lot of good things here. But it's also coming at a cost, where people just aren't able to afford housing. There's not enough affordable housing units, and of course, jobs. Many people want the dignity of being able to say that they are earning their own paycheck, but there are not enough jobs in our region that allow for people to be able to afford rent."
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